“Farmers Shielded: New Import Ban on German Livestock After Foot and Mouth Outbreak”

The Government has enhanced measures to curb the dissemination of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), in light of a confirmed case in Germany.

The importation of cattle, pigs, and sheep from Germany is now prohibited to safeguard farmers and their livelihoods. GB health certificates will no longer be issued for FMD-susceptible animals, which include all living animals and fresh meat.

The UK Chief Veterinary Officer is also advising livestock keepers to remain alert to the clinical indicators of FMD after a case of the illness was validated in Germany. Presently, there are no reported instances in the UK.

While FMD does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, it is a highly transmissible viral sickness affecting cattle, sheep, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed creatures. Therefore, livestock keepers should be exceptionally meticulous regarding their biosecurity measures.

Upholding strong biosecurity is crucial to safeguarding the health and welfare of herds and is essential to averting the transmission of diseases like FMD and preventing an outbreak from escalating.

FMD leads to considerable economic setbacks due to production impairments in affected animals as well as the loss of access to international markets for livestock, meat, and dairy in impacted nations.

Clinical signs vary according to species, but in cattle, the primary indicators are lesions and blisters on the feet, mouth, and tongue, accompanied by potential fever, lameness, and a lack of appetite. In sheep and pigs, symptoms often manifest as lameness with a likelihood of blistering. This guidance page offers more detailed information about the symptoms to observe.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Christine Middlemiss stated:

We are in regular contact with our German counterparts to comprehend the most recent developments after their confirmation of a single case of Foot and Mouth disease.

We possess comprehensive contingency plans to manage the risks posed by this disease to protect farmers and Britain’s food security, which includes employing all strategies to mitigate the risk of incursion and the propagation of this devastating illness.

I strongly encourage livestock keepers to maintain the highest level of vigilance for any signs of disease, adhere strictly to biosecurity protocols, and report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner remarked:

The Government will take all necessary actions to safeguard our nation’s farmers from the threats presented by Foot and Mouth.

This is the reason why immediate prohibitions have been enacted on the importation of animal products from Germany to avert an outbreak, and we will not hesitate to extend this list should the disease spread further.

We will persist in monitoring the situation, collaborating closely with German authorities.

This announcement follows the Government’s declaration of a £200 million investment in the UK’s primary research and laboratory testing facilities at Weybridge, aimed at enhancing protection against animal disease.

Foot and Mouth Disease is a legally mandated notifiable illness and requires reporting. If you suspect a notifiable disease among your animals, you must report it immediately by calling the Government Helpline. Neglecting to do so is considered an offence.

The contact number to report a suspected case is:

· 03000 200 301 in England

· 0300 303 826 in Wales

If you are located in Scotland, please reach out to your local Field Services Office to report any suspicion of disease.